Universal Hollywood Celebrates 60th Anniversary of Studio Tour with New and Classic Experiences

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April 3, 2024

Universal Hollywood Celebrates 60th Anniversary of Studio Tour with New and Classic Experiences

Universal Studios Hollywood is celebrating the 60th anniversary of its iconic Studio Tour with a special program from April 26 to August 11, 2024. Take a nostalgic walk down memory lane and experience the magic of Hollywood filmmaking firsthand.

The world-renowned Studio Tour, which has welcomed over 200 million guests over its 60-year history, is taking center stage with a special program from April 26 to August 11, 2024. Join the celebration and experience the magic of Hollywood filmmaking firsthand.

“The Studio Tour paved the way for the development of Universal Studios Hollywood and celebrating its 60-year milestone pays homage to its indelible impact,” said Scott Strobl, Executive Vice President and General Manager, Universal Studios Hollywood. “The Studio Tour is a crown jewel in our theme park portfolio and a beloved attraction for millions of guests. We are thrilled and honored to share our enthusiasm for its historic relevance with guests both new to the experience as well as those who have journeyed with us along the way.”

In addition to the return of several iconic red and white candy-striped Glamor Trams, the centerpiece of the Studio Tour 60^th anniversary celebration will treat guests to the unique opportunity to step off the tram and onto a legendary movie set where an original, fully restored 1964 vintage Glamor Tram awaits. The area will provide additional memorable photo opportunities and social media posts, including a giant King Kong backdrop and the theme park’s original hanging Jaws shark.

A highlight of the 60^th celebration also includes the “Earthquake—The Big One” attraction, which debuted on the Studio Tour in 1989 and has been shaking things up ever since with its eerily realistic 8.3 magnitude quake. To coincide with this diamond anniversary, this simulated natural disaster attraction has undergone a top to bottom renovation and will debut anew with contemporary technology and aesthetics.

Rounding out the entire Studio Tour 60^th anniversary celebration will be a selection of specially created, highly themed food and beverages, curated by the theme park’s Executive Chef Julia Thrash, along with themed merchandise and memorabilia.

A special Dining Pass celebrating the 60^thanniversary will be available for purchase and will allow guests to choose six eligible menu items: a choice of two entrees, plus a choice of four snacks, sides, desserts or beverages at participating restaurants or food carts. Select in-park venues and food carts are excluded, and the Dining Pass is valid only on the day of purchase.

Guests basking in a day of nostalgia can step back in time and enjoy retro style entrees, sweets and drinks. A sampling of items at select locations will include:

Hollywood & Dine, located on the Upper Lot of the theme park, will serve up BBQ Brisket Sandwich, BBQ Cheeseburger, BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich, BBQ Chicken Sandwich, Summer Strawberry Salad, BBQ Corn Dog and Film Reel Cookie Sandwich.

Mel’s Diner, also located on the Upper Lot, will feature such favorites as Mel’s Classic Burger, Beyond Meat® BBQ Cheeseburger, Chili Cheese Dog, Tuna Melt, Chicken Caeser Salad, as well as two entrees that harken back to iconic mid-century TV dinner style platters: the Meatloaf Combo and Fried Chicken Combo.

Studio Scoops ice-cream parlor on the Lower Lot will whip up tasty treats in honor of the theme park’s signature attractions.

And lastly, the City Snack Shop standalone outdoor food cart, located on the Upper Lot, will be transformed into a Glamor Tram and serve up a selection of treats emblematic of the 60-year celebration, including the Glam Tram Cookie, Film Reel Cookie Sandwich, Giant 60^thPretzel, 60^th Celebration Cookies and Banana Breath Popcorn.

An all-new dedicated Studio Tour 60^th anniversary merchandise collection will invite guests to take home a piece of this historical celebration with such unique products as a 60^th anniversary popcorn bucket shaped as an iconic Glamor Tram, plus an array of retro-themed souvenirs, including a Glamor Tram themed pillow, blanket, backpack, jacket, tops, tee shirts, hats, mugs, keychains, salt and pepper shakers, chocolates and candies.

If you’d like to celebrate the Studio Tours anniversary at Universal Studios Hollywood, contact me today! I am a travel agent with Destinations to Travel, my services are FREE, and I’d love to help you plan a wonderful vacation.

Make This Stitch 2024 Graduation Plush Part Of Your Ohana And Celebrate Your Big Accomplishment!

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Ana Leal

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April 3, 2024

Make This Stitch 2024 Graduation Plush Part Of Your Ohana And Celebrate Your Big Accomplishment!

Celebrate your stellar achievements with this Stitch 2024 Graduation Plush available at the Disney Store for $24.99! He will be happy to be part of your Ohana and celebrate your big milestone.

The soft plush features a satin robe with a tropical print featuring fruit, flowers and leaves in a variety of colors. His graduation cap is purple with “Class of 2024” in yellow with floral details and a corded tassel.

Credit: Disney Store

This Ariel 1989 T-Shirt Will Never Go Out Of Style!

By

Ana Leal

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April 3, 2024

This Ariel 1989 T-Shirt Will Never Go Out Of Style!

Swifties, check out this Ariel 1989 T-Shirt created by HellaCuteCompany on Etsy for $26.09+. You can order yours here!

This fun shirt is inspired in the 1989 Taylor’s version album cover but it features our 1989 princess, Ariel! So of course this is Ariel’s version, and it fits perfectly, do you like Disney and Taylor Swift? Then this shirt is a must have in your wardrobe!

New Dreamy Partners Disneyland T-shirt Now At The Disney Store!

By

Ana Leal

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April 3, 2024

New Dreamy Partners Disneyland T-shirt Now At The Disney Store!

A new nostalgic Partners Disneyland T-shirt just arrived online to the Disney Store for $32.99! A must have tee to remind you that you will always be welcome to the happiest place on Earth.

The tie-dye shirt features a “D” in teal on the front and the famous “To all that come to this happy place, welcome” speech on the back with Walt Disney and Mickey silhouettes in black and Disneyland behind them. We love it!

Credit: Disney Store

New Pizza Planet Collection Has Been Delivered To Hollywood Studios!

By

Ana Leal

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April 3, 2024

New Pizza Planet Collection Has Been Delivered To Hollywood Studios!

Special delivery! A Pizza Planet Collection is now available at Hollywood Studios! The products have a retro design perfect for the whole family and includes a jersey, t-shirts, sweatshirts, bags and more accessories, take a look:

PIZZA PLANET BASEBALL JERSEY

This baseball jersey features the Pizza Planet logo on the front with two Toy Story aliens saying “Oooh…” and “It’s Pizza!” at the bottom. Turn the jersey around and you will find ”Freshest in the Galaxy,” ”Pizza Planet since 1995” logo and Space Aliens embroidered in red and black.

The sleeve features ”Serving your local star cluster – Pizza Planet – Freshest in the Galaxy” and the snap front buttons have a debossed green alien! Super cute!

PIZZA PLANET T-SHIRT

This comfy shirt features three space aliens holding a slice of pizza on the front, turn this shirt around to find the space aliens keeping their eyes on the prize (a slice of pizza) selected by the claw!

The collection also features a red long sleeve shirt with a space alien, a gray hoodie with the space aliens silhouettes and a mineral gray wash crewneck with the Pizza Planet truck! This has to be a favorite in this collection, super cute and subtle.

PIZZA PLANET WOVEN SHIRT

Of course a woven button up shirt had to be part of this collection, this one is black with an all over pattern of the Pizza Planet logo, rocket ship, burgers and pizza slices in white. And if you look closely, you will find a space alien embroidered in red on the collar!

For accessories, we found a mineral wash gray baseball cap with a rocket ship and “Our pizza is outta this world” text embroidered in red and white on the front.

There’s also a set of two pair of socks in white and black for those who like fun socks!

Other items in the collection include a Pizza Planet tumbler, Pizza Planet drawstring bag and a wallet with chain.

You can take a closer look at this collection in our Instagram post:

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Adorable Winnie the Pooh Lug Tote Bag Spotted At Epcot!

By

Ana Leal

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April 3, 2024

Adorable Winnie the Pooh Lug Tote Bag Spotted At Epcot!

This super cute Winnie the Pooh Lug Tote Bag is available at the UK pavilion in Epcot for $80! A perfect size to carry your essentials everywhere you go while bringing the magic of Disney with you.

The tote bag features an all over pattern of Winnie the Pooh wearing a palace guard hat, plus other characters like Piglet, Eeyore and Tigger. London landmarks are also featured in blue all around this bag that can be use as a tote bag or crossbody bag using the adjustable strap!

You can take a closer look at this bag in our Instagram post:

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A post shared by Chip and Company (@chipandco)

Disney Offers Exciting Glimpse into ‘Moana 2’

By

Chip

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April 3, 2024

Disney Offers Exciting Glimpse into ‘Moana 2’

Get ready to set sail once more with Moana, as Walt Disney Animation Studios unveils the latest details about the highly anticipated sequel, ‘Moana 2’.

The Story Continues Three years after her groundbreaking first journey, Moana embarks on a thrilling new adventure. This time, she’ll venture beyond the familiar shores of Motunui in a quest to connect with others throughout Oceania.

Familiar Faces and New Allies: Joined by the beloved demigod Maui, Moana will assemble a fresh crew of seafarers. Together, they will brave treacherous, uncharted waters, facing challenges unlike any encountered before.

A Musical Voyage: Prepare to be swept away by the vibrant music of ‘Moana 2’. Auliʻi Cravalho returns to bring Moana’s voice to life, alongside Dwayne Johnson as Maui.

Mark Your Calendars! ‘Moana 2’ sets sail for theaters on November 27, 2024.

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Get ready for a fresh dose of adventure, heart, and the stunning music that made the original ‘Moana’ so beloved.

New Donald Duck Her Universe Collection Now Available at Hot Topic!

By

Ana Leal

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April 3, 2024

New Donald Duck Her Universe Collection Now Available at Hot Topic!

Get ready for our favorite temperamental duck 90th anniversary on June 9 with this Donald Duck Her Universe Collection available now at Hot Topic! The pieces in this collection are perfect to set sail in style, take a look:

DONALD DUCK WOVEN BUTTON UP

This button up shirt is inspired in Donald’s iconic sailor outfit featuring a sailor collar with yellow trimming and embroidered anchors on the front, then on the back “Donald Duck” text and his face are embroidered to complete the look. Finally, for a pop of color, the shirt also comes with a red bow tie at the neckline!

DONALD DUCK DENIM SAILOR SHORTS

These denim shorts are adorable! They feature Donald and an anchor printed on the front and his signature on the back pocket. Very cute and comfy for this summer.

HER UNIVERSE DONALD DUCK CARDIGAN

Sailing in the ocean can get a little chilly, specially during the morning and night, so be prepared with this cozy cardigan featuring Donald Duck on the front and back! It also features front pockets and ribbed cuffs.

DONALD DUCK STRIPPES OVERSIZE T-SHIRT

Finally, an oversized shirt for a more casual looks is also available in a white and blue stripped pattern with a steering wheel and Donald Duck in the center.

Happy Birthday, Donald!

Credit: Hot Topic

Bob Iger Thanks Shareholders for their Trust at 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders

By

Chip

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April 3, 2024

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Bob Iger Thanks Shareholders for their Trust at 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders

The Walt Disney Company today announced that its full 12-member Board of Directors has been re-elected by a substantial margin, based on preliminary vote tallies from the 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. Disney’s nominees prevailed over those proposed by Trian and Blackwells. Final results are subject to certification but will be released by the Company in the coming days.

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Mark Parker, Chairman of the Board, expressed gratitude to shareholders for their support during a period of change and underlined the Board’s qualifications and commitment to succession planning.

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Bob Iger, CEO of the Walt Disney Company, thanked shareholders for their trust and stated that the focus can now fully return to growth, shareholder value creation, and creative excellence, with the proxy battle concluded.

New Teaser Trailer for Descendants: The Rise of Red

By

Catherine

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April 3, 2024

New Teaser Trailer for Descendants: The Rise of Red

Calling all Descendants fans! Disney+ just dropped a fiery new teaser for “Descendants: The Rise of Red!” Premiering on Disney+ July 12th, this new chapter is sure to heat up summer by bringing back the beloved story of good versus evil with a fresh twist.

This time, we meet Red, the rebellious daughter of the villainous Queen of Hearts, and Chloe, the picture-perfect daughter of Cinderella. Despite their contrasting personalities, they’ll have to team up to travel back in time and prevent a pivotal event that turned the Queen of Hearts down a dark path.

Following the Descendants tradition, “The Rise of Red” features all-new music, including seven original songs, two reprises, and a cover of the classic “So This Is Love” from Cinderella. The soundtrack arrives alongside the film on July 12th.

The Descendants franchise has been a powerhouse in children’s entertainment, consistently ranking as the most-watched cable movie of the year among kids and tweens. The music is equally popular, with billions of streams and views, and the merchandise a top seller. This summer, fans can expect a fresh wave of Descendants products, including dolls, apparel, costumes, and more.

So get ready to paint the town red (or maybe Auradon blue?) with “Descendants: The Rise of Red” this July!

Nelson Peltz and Blackwells Capital Defeated in Walt Disney Company Proxy Fight

By

Chip

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April 3, 2024

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Nelson Peltz and Blackwells Capital Defeated in Walt Disney Company Proxy Fight

Nelson Peltz and Blackwells Capital have lost their proxy fights to get their nominees onto the Walt Disney Company Board of Directors, according to Reuters.

Disney announces the successful re-election of its Board of Directors during the annual shareholders meeting.

This slate of experienced leaders includes: …

Mary T. Barra – Chair and Chief Executive Officer of General Motors Co.
Safra A. Catz – Chief Executive Officer of Oracle Corp. and its former President
Amy L. Chang – a former senior executive at Cisco Systems, Inc. and Google; current director of Procter & Gamble Co.
D. Jeremy Darroch – former Executive Chairman and Group Chief Executive Officer of Sky
Carolyn N. Everson – a former senior executive at Instacart, Meta Platforms, Inc., and Microsoft Corp.; current director of The Coca-Cola Co. and Under Armour Inc.
Michael B.G. Froman – President of the Council on Foreign Relations and former Vice Chairman and President, of Strategic Growth at Mastercard Inc.
James P. Gorman – Executive Chairman and former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Morgan Stanley
Robert A. Iger – Disney’s Chief Executive Officer, formerly also served as Chairman
Maria Elena Lagomasino – Chief Executive Officer and Managing Partner of WE Family Offices; former senior executive at JP Morgan Private Bank and Chase Manhattan Bank; current director of The Coca-Cola Co.
Calvin R. McDonald – Chief Executive Officer of Lululemon Athletic Inc.
Mark G. Parker – serves as Chairman of the Disney Board; Executive Chairman of NIKE, Inc., and its former Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer
Derica W. Rice – a former senior executive at CVS Health Corp. and Eli Lilly and Co.; current director of The Carlyle Group Inc., Bristol-Myers Squibb Co., and Target Corp.

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The Proxy War for Disney’s Board

Nelson Peltz (CEO of Trian Fund Management), supported by former Marvel Entertainment Chairman Ike Perlmutter, began his battle for Disney board seats in early 2023. After a brief pause, the proxy fight resumed in the fall. Peltz nominated himself and former Disney CFO Jay Rasulo, but Disney rejected this move and tightened the nomination process. This sparked the official proxy battle.

Blackwells Capital joined the fray in early 2024, seeking board seats for three candidates. In response, Disney put forward its existing board members plus recent additions James P. Gorman and Jeremy Darroch, aiming to displace Peltz’s nominees.

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Escalating Tactics

Disney and CEO Bob Iger launched a fierce campaign, urging shareholders to back their candidates. Tactics included personal appeals, a letter touting their progress, and even attack ads.

Peltz blamed Disney’s financial woes on the existing board and proposed bundling ESPN+ with another streamer. His strategy called for a board-led review of Disney’s creative process.

Blackwells advocated a radical split of Disney into three segments and the use of AI for character development.

Battle of Influence

Influential proxy advisor ISS backed Peltz’s nomination (but not his other candidates nor those from Blackwells). However, Glass Lewis sided with Disney and Iger. Major investors like BlackRock and T. Rowe Price also reportedly supported Disney, alongside public figures like George Lucas and the Disney family descendants.

Gin & Tonic Festival Returning to Jaleo Disney Springs

By

Chris B

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April 2, 2024

Spring has arrived at Disney Springs, and Jaleo is clinking glasses to the season with the return of their popular Gin & Tonic Festival. The two-week celebration kicks off on April 15th and runs through April 28th, offering guests a chance to savor the perfect seasonal cocktail: the Gin & Tonic.

This effervescent beverage isn’t just a refreshing springtime drink; it also holds the esteemed title of Spain’s national cocktail. Jaleo’s festival invites guests to explore the world of Gin & Tonics with a curated selection featuring unique botanicals and flavor profiles.

A Gin & Tonic for Every Palate:

Appetizer: Fords Gin takes center stage, infused with Cynar, lavender, lemon, and tonic for a touch of floral and herbal magic – ($16)
Saints: Tanqueray Gin blends sunshine flavors with ginger, elderflower, aloe vera, and tonic – a taste bud adventure with a hint of wellness – ($16)
Ultimate: Hendrick’s Gin offers a classic twist with juniper, lemon, lime, and tonic – a familiar favorite with a delightful surprise – ($18)
El Patriarca: Genever brings a historic twist to the classic, featuring citrus expressions and tonic – ($16)
Mediterranean: Gin Mare delivers a sophisticated experience with sweet and dry vermouth, lemon, lime, thyme, and tonic water – an aromatic and complex creation – ($16)

Tapas to Complement Your Gin & Tonic Journey:

Jaleo has curated a selection of tapas specifically designed to enhance the flavors of each Gin & Tonic.

Patatas Bravas: Classic Spanish fried potatoes come alive with a spicy tomato sauce and creamy alioli – ($14)
Croquetas de Pollo: Traditional chicken fritters offer a comforting and flavorful bite – ($14)
Buñuelos de Bacalao: Fried cod and potato fritters take a sweet turn with honey alioli – a taste of the sea with a touch of indulgence – ($14)
Pan Con Tomate y Queso Manchego: Simple yet delicious, toasted crispy bread brushed with fresh tomato is served alongside Manchego cheese – ($17)

Jaleo Disney Springs invites you to celebrate spring with a refreshing and flavorful Gin & Tonic adventure. This two-week festival promises an unforgettable experience for all your senses.

Ready to book your next magical vacation, but don’t know where to start? Want to enjoy a Walt Disney World vacation without the stress of planning, booking, and tracking trip changes and promotions? Contact me today! As an agent with Destinations To Travel specializing in Disney destinations, I can help you stress less and enjoy your vacation more! The best part? My services are provided at NO ADDITIONAL COST when you book your Disney vacation package through me!